Baba Amarnath Movement in Jammu: Achievements and Prospects
Anurag Gangal
August 08, 2008
The Baba Amarnath Movement (BAM) of the people of Jammu has, rightly or wrongly, only one aim. This is to restore the transfer of 800 kanals of land at Baltal to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. One point agenda in a people´s movement is often regarded as quite dangerous inasmuch as any negotiation or dialogue generally becomes very difficult then. There is yet another dimension to it. When there is mainly one pointed people´s movement, it may be short lived because the moment their one single aim is granted they will be very happy and satisfied.
Non-political and Secular:
One point objective also signifies least possible interference of vested interests and political manipulations and perversions in the BAM. This single pointedness has also led to all involved political parties and organisations supporting the BAM under the unanimously agreed non-political leadership. The BAM is, indeed, being spearheaded by the Baba Amarnath Shrine Sangharsh Samiti (BASSS) whose leader is Shri Leela Karan Sharma.
This massive nonviolent people´s uprising in Jammu also demonstrates how deeply citizens of Jammu are attached to their religious faith and belief within the parameters of mutual communal fraternity and brotherhood. As such, this movement has now become an all out fight for the restoration of self-respect of the people of Jammu perhaps for the first time in the hitherto fore known history of Jammu and Kashmir.
Governmental Communalism:
This movement, however, is such that, in effect, it was not needed at all had the new Governor H.E. N. N. Vohra not committed grave constitutional and policy lapse by working towards revoking the land transfer order made in favour of the Shrine Board. The J&K Government has also indulged in insighting communalism through its revocation order of the earlier transfer of land to Shrine Board. It has established a precedent for all governments to follow the world over whenever they feel like taking up the responsibility of making arrangements for pilgrims to different shrines of all religions. This policy is against the very basis and philosophy of secularism.
Pointers for Bringing about Normalcy:
BASSS movement has already had about six martyrdoms in terms of sacrificing their precious human lives by the participants during the one month old struggle. Jammu is on a blitzkrieg. It is burning. A situation of near anarchy is prevailing. Even Army is not able to control over the situation. How to bring about normalcy ?
Indeed, transferring back the concerned forest land to SASB again will bring instantaneous normalcy in place of current widespread unrest and anarchy. Does it mean that the Government is not interested in bringing about normalcy? Does Government want the anarchy to prevail ever more? All this is so apparent on the part of Government and administration especially through their attitude of procrastinating the real resolution of this matter by transferring the relevant piece of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board immediately.
Why Interference in Religious Arrangements ?:
Transferring back the concerned piece of land to Shrine Board will be in the interest of every religion in the country and the world. Otherwise, the J&K Government´s decision to the contrary will establish a wrong precedent for every religion vs Government. It opens the door to going back to the times of Papal domination in the affairs of the state in Europe. The government and state in the modern world stands firm on the policy of keeping the state away from religious matters of any type – be it making arrangements for pilgrimage of pilgrim´s etcetera. One wonders why the J&K Government should go for making arrangements for pilgrims´ pilgrimages to Baba Amarnath Shrine Board ? Why should a modern secular government interfere in the religious affairs of Hindus ? Is it really advisable on any pretext at all in any religion whatsoever?
Separatists, Anti-national Links and Self-respect of Jammu:
It seems that the people of Jammu have risen again against their sixty years´ old repeated and recurring discrimination and exploitation by the Kashmiri separatist leadership. It may be stated at the outset that Hurriyat, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) belong to more or less similar line of thinking. They are all aligned and linked to anti-national activity, terrorists and separatists in the ultimate analysis. If proper research and impartial and objective inquiry is conducted into these aspects of the Kashmir politics, then several so-called nationalist leaders are likely to be exposed fully. Quite a few of such leaders have obviously done several good things for the J&K State from time to time on different occasions and moments. Yet they have done more harm than good despite their apparent benevolent intentions. People of Jammu appear not only to have realised these facts by now but they are also ready to fight for the cause of protecting their self-respect today. This is a great achievement by all means.
Feelers from Vohra:
Governor Vohra has also sent such feelers to the people of Jammu that he apparently has realised his folly relating to the question of revocation of the land transfer order to the Amarnath Shrine Board. This however does not suffice. The concerned land must now be immediately transferred to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). If the Government really wants this BAM to fizzle out then there is only one action needed. Give the concerned land to Shrine Board and sit pretty at home. Rectify the Government´s wrong decision and be happy.
Why the Government does not bring about normalcy in the State ? Right decision in the right direction is needed. When Governor N. N. Vohra could wrongly ask the Government to take up the burden of managing the Amarnath Yatra arrangements immediately after becoming the Governor then why is he taking so long to take the right decision now ? One such right decision will bring immediate peace in Jammu. What about Kashmiri separatist leaders and their stooges then? They will then create problems in Kashmir? Yes they will. When it happens, the Governor of the State should act in the similar way as earlier Governor Jagmohan had functioned.
Struggle amidst Discrimination of Jammu:
Some of the genuine and nationalist Kashmiri leaders say that there had never been any discrimination against the people of Jammu. It is difficult to believe them. Very clear cut lines of discrimination have already been drawn on the political map of J&K. As a tip of the iceberg, for example, unjust distribution of Assembly and Parliamentary seats in J&K; unfair diversion of funds to Kashmir for development and other purposes; corruption and injustice in matters relating to selections and job opportunities in Jammu vis-à-vis Kashmir; bias in creation of professional and educational institutions in Jammu and ever tragic position of water supply and electricity in Jammu alongwith the worst possible road network in Jammu region. Above all, the corruption network in Jammu and Kashmir is second to none in India. Apparently, as stories travel through word of mouth, there is corruption in J&K from CM to peon and vice versa.
JU as A Model for Government:
There appear to be some institutions which kept on working with commitment despite so much discrimination and corruption in J&K. First, people in general and secondly University of Jammu in particular – especially after its modernisation and technologicalisation since 2002 – 2003. It is such courage of conviction, dedication to professionalism, impartial administration, quality assurance and the policy of being just, kind and firm to employees, students, teachers and civil society that has helped shape a new vision for the youth of Jammu.
Apart from the construction of monumental General Zorwar Singh Auditorium, several new departments and centres of learning have come up in addition to up gradation of a number of departments and centres. Widening networking with civil society has also led Jammu University to become an institution of global repute with a number of memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed with foreign universities for purposes of research and exchange of students and teachers.
Despite the constitutional failure of the machinery of the State, the teachers and students of Jammu University are busy doing their work at the main campus and recently created four other campuses as well. Jammu University is one such place where there is not even an iota of corruption in any area of its work in comparison to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. All this speaks of the calibre and level of academic leadership being provided to civil society and others. Despite all discrimination, the Jammu University is marching ahead especially with its excellent infrastructure and facilities for students and teachers.
Therefore, the J&K Government should learn from Jammu University on how to function without corruption and compromise on quality despite all routine challenges of the day. Let Jammu University become a model for the J&K Government to follow and learn for the fast track peace and development of the State. Let JU arrange training courses and certificate courses for the governors, chief ministers, ministers and administrators in the J&K State.
This is necessary to avoid repeated policy failures on the part of governments, ministers and administrators.
Jammu Movement and Government:
Government does not want to transfer the concerned land to the SASB. This is clear because, otherwise, BAM could not have gone along for so long – over a month now. That is the main point to ponder now. How to go about getting the aim of the movement realised soon ?
The Government at J&K and at New Delhi appears to be lost in its Advisors at the cost of ignoring the realities of the people´s movement. The Government must know that if this movement goes along for another month then even the Army and other armed forces like Rapid Action Force etcetera are like to go with the cause for which the people of Jammu are fighting. There is strong likelihood that armed forces under the command of the President of India are likely to go for disobeying the orders of the Government if they are asked to set the people of Jammu right. Such whispers are already floating in the air at the main action scenes of the movement for restoration of land to Shrine Board.
Prospects:
The ongoing people´s movement in Jammu also needs to thinks about introducing some other methods of nonviolent agitation in addition to calling for prolonged bandhs day after day. For longer drawn time frame of agitation, bandhs should be called only three days a week. Remaining three days should be given to strategy and planning for the next steps of the movement.
Apart from a number of requirements for sustaining the dynamism of the initial days of a movement, there are a few other essential aspects that must be given utmost consideration. These other points are:
1. Philosophy, Ethics and Moral Strength
2. Direction to Movement
3. Variation in modes of Movement
4. Planning: Immediate, Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term
5. Strategy: Day to Day for tactically dealing with Government etcetera
6. Expansion: Beyond Jammu at national and international levels
Without the above mentioned points duly taken care of, no movement can go forward. It seems that the Baba Amarnath Movement in Jammu needs to do a lot in this area for giving further purposeful direction to its cause and action in near future. The elements of nonviolence and communal unity must also be added to these points. As far as possible there should be more than one point agenda of the movement.
Non-political and Secular:
One point objective also signifies least possible interference of vested interests and political manipulations and perversions in the BAM. This single pointedness has also led to all involved political parties and organisations supporting the BAM under the unanimously agreed non-political leadership. The BAM is, indeed, being spearheaded by the Baba Amarnath Shrine Sangharsh Samiti (BASSS) whose leader is Shri Leela Karan Sharma.
This massive nonviolent people´s uprising in Jammu also demonstrates how deeply citizens of Jammu are attached to their religious faith and belief within the parameters of mutual communal fraternity and brotherhood. As such, this movement has now become an all out fight for the restoration of self-respect of the people of Jammu perhaps for the first time in the hitherto fore known history of Jammu and Kashmir.
Governmental Communalism:
This movement, however, is such that, in effect, it was not needed at all had the new Governor H.E. N. N. Vohra not committed grave constitutional and policy lapse by working towards revoking the land transfer order made in favour of the Shrine Board. The J&K Government has also indulged in insighting communalism through its revocation order of the earlier transfer of land to Shrine Board. It has established a precedent for all governments to follow the world over whenever they feel like taking up the responsibility of making arrangements for pilgrims to different shrines of all religions. This policy is against the very basis and philosophy of secularism.
Pointers for Bringing about Normalcy:
BASSS movement has already had about six martyrdoms in terms of sacrificing their precious human lives by the participants during the one month old struggle. Jammu is on a blitzkrieg. It is burning. A situation of near anarchy is prevailing. Even Army is not able to control over the situation. How to bring about normalcy ?
Indeed, transferring back the concerned forest land to SASB again will bring instantaneous normalcy in place of current widespread unrest and anarchy. Does it mean that the Government is not interested in bringing about normalcy? Does Government want the anarchy to prevail ever more? All this is so apparent on the part of Government and administration especially through their attitude of procrastinating the real resolution of this matter by transferring the relevant piece of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board immediately.
Why Interference in Religious Arrangements ?:
Transferring back the concerned piece of land to Shrine Board will be in the interest of every religion in the country and the world. Otherwise, the J&K Government´s decision to the contrary will establish a wrong precedent for every religion vs Government. It opens the door to going back to the times of Papal domination in the affairs of the state in Europe. The government and state in the modern world stands firm on the policy of keeping the state away from religious matters of any type – be it making arrangements for pilgrimage of pilgrim´s etcetera. One wonders why the J&K Government should go for making arrangements for pilgrims´ pilgrimages to Baba Amarnath Shrine Board ? Why should a modern secular government interfere in the religious affairs of Hindus ? Is it really advisable on any pretext at all in any religion whatsoever?
Separatists, Anti-national Links and Self-respect of Jammu:
It seems that the people of Jammu have risen again against their sixty years´ old repeated and recurring discrimination and exploitation by the Kashmiri separatist leadership. It may be stated at the outset that Hurriyat, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) belong to more or less similar line of thinking. They are all aligned and linked to anti-national activity, terrorists and separatists in the ultimate analysis. If proper research and impartial and objective inquiry is conducted into these aspects of the Kashmir politics, then several so-called nationalist leaders are likely to be exposed fully. Quite a few of such leaders have obviously done several good things for the J&K State from time to time on different occasions and moments. Yet they have done more harm than good despite their apparent benevolent intentions. People of Jammu appear not only to have realised these facts by now but they are also ready to fight for the cause of protecting their self-respect today. This is a great achievement by all means.
Feelers from Vohra:
Governor Vohra has also sent such feelers to the people of Jammu that he apparently has realised his folly relating to the question of revocation of the land transfer order to the Amarnath Shrine Board. This however does not suffice. The concerned land must now be immediately transferred to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). If the Government really wants this BAM to fizzle out then there is only one action needed. Give the concerned land to Shrine Board and sit pretty at home. Rectify the Government´s wrong decision and be happy.
Why the Government does not bring about normalcy in the State ? Right decision in the right direction is needed. When Governor N. N. Vohra could wrongly ask the Government to take up the burden of managing the Amarnath Yatra arrangements immediately after becoming the Governor then why is he taking so long to take the right decision now ? One such right decision will bring immediate peace in Jammu. What about Kashmiri separatist leaders and their stooges then? They will then create problems in Kashmir? Yes they will. When it happens, the Governor of the State should act in the similar way as earlier Governor Jagmohan had functioned.
Struggle amidst Discrimination of Jammu:
Some of the genuine and nationalist Kashmiri leaders say that there had never been any discrimination against the people of Jammu. It is difficult to believe them. Very clear cut lines of discrimination have already been drawn on the political map of J&K. As a tip of the iceberg, for example, unjust distribution of Assembly and Parliamentary seats in J&K; unfair diversion of funds to Kashmir for development and other purposes; corruption and injustice in matters relating to selections and job opportunities in Jammu vis-à-vis Kashmir; bias in creation of professional and educational institutions in Jammu and ever tragic position of water supply and electricity in Jammu alongwith the worst possible road network in Jammu region. Above all, the corruption network in Jammu and Kashmir is second to none in India. Apparently, as stories travel through word of mouth, there is corruption in J&K from CM to peon and vice versa.
JU as A Model for Government:
There appear to be some institutions which kept on working with commitment despite so much discrimination and corruption in J&K. First, people in general and secondly University of Jammu in particular – especially after its modernisation and technologicalisation since 2002 – 2003. It is such courage of conviction, dedication to professionalism, impartial administration, quality assurance and the policy of being just, kind and firm to employees, students, teachers and civil society that has helped shape a new vision for the youth of Jammu.
Apart from the construction of monumental General Zorwar Singh Auditorium, several new departments and centres of learning have come up in addition to up gradation of a number of departments and centres. Widening networking with civil society has also led Jammu University to become an institution of global repute with a number of memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed with foreign universities for purposes of research and exchange of students and teachers.
Despite the constitutional failure of the machinery of the State, the teachers and students of Jammu University are busy doing their work at the main campus and recently created four other campuses as well. Jammu University is one such place where there is not even an iota of corruption in any area of its work in comparison to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. All this speaks of the calibre and level of academic leadership being provided to civil society and others. Despite all discrimination, the Jammu University is marching ahead especially with its excellent infrastructure and facilities for students and teachers.
Therefore, the J&K Government should learn from Jammu University on how to function without corruption and compromise on quality despite all routine challenges of the day. Let Jammu University become a model for the J&K Government to follow and learn for the fast track peace and development of the State. Let JU arrange training courses and certificate courses for the governors, chief ministers, ministers and administrators in the J&K State.
This is necessary to avoid repeated policy failures on the part of governments, ministers and administrators.
Jammu Movement and Government:
Government does not want to transfer the concerned land to the SASB. This is clear because, otherwise, BAM could not have gone along for so long – over a month now. That is the main point to ponder now. How to go about getting the aim of the movement realised soon ?
The Government at J&K and at New Delhi appears to be lost in its Advisors at the cost of ignoring the realities of the people´s movement. The Government must know that if this movement goes along for another month then even the Army and other armed forces like Rapid Action Force etcetera are like to go with the cause for which the people of Jammu are fighting. There is strong likelihood that armed forces under the command of the President of India are likely to go for disobeying the orders of the Government if they are asked to set the people of Jammu right. Such whispers are already floating in the air at the main action scenes of the movement for restoration of land to Shrine Board.
Prospects:
The ongoing people´s movement in Jammu also needs to thinks about introducing some other methods of nonviolent agitation in addition to calling for prolonged bandhs day after day. For longer drawn time frame of agitation, bandhs should be called only three days a week. Remaining three days should be given to strategy and planning for the next steps of the movement.
Apart from a number of requirements for sustaining the dynamism of the initial days of a movement, there are a few other essential aspects that must be given utmost consideration. These other points are:
1. Philosophy, Ethics and Moral Strength
2. Direction to Movement
3. Variation in modes of Movement
4. Planning: Immediate, Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term
5. Strategy: Day to Day for tactically dealing with Government etcetera
6. Expansion: Beyond Jammu at national and international levels
Without the above mentioned points duly taken care of, no movement can go forward. It seems that the Baba Amarnath Movement in Jammu needs to do a lot in this area for giving further purposeful direction to its cause and action in near future. The elements of nonviolence and communal unity must also be added to these points. As far as possible there should be more than one point agenda of the movement.
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